SGF expresses anger at closure of retailer support scheme

The SGF has written to Fiona Hyslop, cabinet secretary for economy, fair work and culture, to emphasise the importance of the continued availability of these business support grants for retailers.

Pete Cheema, SGF chief executive, said: “There does not seem to have been any consultation with businesses and other key stakeholders. At no time were we advised about this matter and the impending decision that was to be made.

“Convenience store retailers are essentially working extended hours, seven days a week, in order to play their part in ensuring a consistent supply of essential groceries and to continue to provide vital services to our communities through Covid-19. Given these pressures, many of them will simply not have had the time yet to apply for these vital business support grants.

“The Scottish government must extend the deadline to 31 December this year or to revert back to the original closing date of 31 March 2021. Reducing the time available to apply for a grant puts Scottish businesses at a severe disadvantage from those in the rest of the UK, where the deadline remains at 31 March 2021.”

The Scottish government has said that new applications for the Small Business and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant schemes have slowed in recent weeks as large numbers of businesses have already applied. It states that remaining money can be re-routed to help businesses in “other ways.”